Ph.D. in Family Relations and Human
Development, The Ohio State University

M.A. & B.S., University of Akron

Interests:
My current scholarly activities follow three lines of interest. First, consistent with a long-standing research interest in grief and loss in families, especially of adolescents and/or bereaved parents, our research team is studying the intersection (or “dance”) between post traumatic stress and post traumatic growth of bereaved parents and bereaved university students, using both standard instruments and an examination of narratives. In addition, we have collected survey data from a national sample of bereaved parents and adolescent siblings regarding relationships, expectations, communication, and life experiences in these families. Another grief-related project involves the analysis of historic newspapers for the reporting of mass tragedies (e.g., the sinking of the Titanic and Lusitania, San Francisco earthquake, and Chicago fire) and its relationship to 20th/21st century theories of grief.

A second line of activity involves the use of theory (or integration of seemingly un-related theories) in the study of families. In particular, I am interested in exploring the use of chaos theory, social construction, terror management, and feminist theories as they relate to issues of adolescence, bereavement or intimate relationships. In addition, I am interested in questions underlying the application of “western” theories to families in other cultures.

A third area involves the integration of the social psychology of justice/law with issues of health and/or with the developmental social psychology of adolescence – with attention to the contextual factors of personal relationships, culture and gender. In addition to supervising several doctoral students’ projects in these integrative areas, my work includes triadic data collected via telephone from 14-16 year old females, their parents and peers with a focus is on the interrelationships between/among risk behaviors, environment and personal risk and protective factors, and developmental aspects in the adolescent's life. In addition, I have been examining media’s (i.e., teen “girl” magazines) meanings and messages given to adolescents in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan.

Murray, C.I., Finholm, M., Toth, K., & Pettis, C.T. (2005). Post traumatic growth and terror management theory as a framework for exploring meaning construction in families with loss. (pp. 9-34). Proceedings of the Theory Construction and Research Methodology Preconference of the National Council on Family Relations. Phoenix, AZ: NCFR.

Murray, C.I., & Weigel, D.J. (2002). Integrating social constructionism and chaos theory: A dynamic framework for exploring commitment in coupled relationships. (pp. 105-139). Proceedings of the Theory Construction and Research Methodology Preconference of the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, CA: NCFR.

Weigel, D. & Murray, C.I. (2000). The paradox of stability and change in relationships: What does chaos theory offer for the study of romantic relationships? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 17, 425-449.

Murray, C.I., (1993). Enhancing family science research through the inclusion of feminist principles. Family Science Review, 4:145-163.
Murray, C.I. (1991). Misuse of linear models in the study of families. Family Science Review, 4:145-163.

Funded Research:
Research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, University of Nevada International Activities Program, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, State of Nevada Department of Education, and State of Nevada Office of Community Services.

Merlino, Mara (2005). The Social Construction of the Admissibility of Expert Testimony after Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Supported by Dissertation Research Grant from the National Science Foundation.